Stagecoach says 20mph rollout will have no effect on bus journey times

As most residential roads are set to change from 30mph to 20mph this weekend, Stagecoach insists its buses will still run on time, and has no plans to change any timetables.

The bus company was asked by Caerphilly Observer if it had calculated any potential increases in journey times, as the 20mph rollout is scheduled to come into law on Sunday September 17.

In response, a spokesperson for Stagecoach said: “There are no planned changes to services at present but our teams continue to monitor our routes and any changes will be shared via our usual communication channels.”

When asked what impact the controversial policy could have on Stagecoach, it said: “We support steps to deliver safer roads and journeys in our communities. At the same time, it is critical that the Welsh Government pursues a set of transport policies that work together and not in isolation, ensuring there are no unintended consequences that undermine other objectives. 

“The best way to ensure the safety of pedestrians and road users, as well as delivering smoother and faster journeys for bus passengers and protecting the long-term sustainability of greener bus travel is by ensuring that buses have priority on road infrastructure over cars.” 

What is the 20mph rollout?

From September 17, Wales will become one of the few countries in the world to have a default 20mph speed limit in residential and busy pedestrian areas.

The Welsh Government has said reducing the speed limit on many roads from 30mph to 20mph will make streets safer, encourage people to walk and cycle, improve health and wellbeing, as well as protecting the environment.

Currently, around 2.5% of roads in Wales have 20mph limits, but this is now set to rise to 35% from Sunday. However, not all 30mph zones will be affected.

The Welsh Government has said it worked with highways authorities to identify potential roads where speed limits can be reduced, as well as those which are remaining at 30mph. The decision on which roads will be affected was made by councils.

The Welsh Government says reducing the speed limit could result in:

• 40% fewer collisions
• Between six and ten lives being saved every year
• Between 1,200 and 2,000 fewer people getting injured every year

How much will it cost the council?

Caerphilly County Borough Council has estimated it will spend more than £1 million implementing changes ahead of the switch to 20mph default speed limits.

To date, the council has spent more than £288,000 on preparing for the switch to 20mph, figures released through a Freedom of Information request to the council show.

The local authority expects to spend £1.05m on the rollout ahead of September 17, and over the course of the next 12 months will have to remove all 20mph repeater signs if it is to comply with the new Welsh law.

According to the Welsh Government, so-called “repeater signs” – small round signs reminding motorists of the speed limit in an area – “will not be permitted on the new 20mph restricted roads”.

This is because 20mph will be the new default speed limit, just as drivers now are not reminded at regular intervals that the speed limit is typically 30mph in residential areas.

Council figures show “approximately 470” signs will have to be replaced across the county borough, including existing speed limit signs.

A further 300 signs, roughly, will be removed and not replaced.

The Welsh Government is funding the multi-million pound switch to 20mph, and some councils in Wales will receive more than £3m for the rollout, government figures show.